2014 MINI John Cooper Works Paceman Preview: 2013 Detroit Auto Show

Why the 2014 MINI John Cooper Works Paceman Matters:

A “John Cooper Works” badge applied to one of MINI’s numerous Cooper derivatives signals that the jaunty little car is equipped with performance hardware engineered to make it the most fun one to drive. To people interested in matters of acceleration, cornering force, and braking capability, this is why the new 2014 MINI John Cooper Works Paceman matters.

New 2014 MINI John Cooper Works Paceman: Styling and Design

The new 2014 MINI Cooper Paceman is based on the MINI Cooper Countryman model, a crossover suv able to seat four people. Well, technically the Countryman seats five, but that’s not terribly realistic. Anyway, the Paceman is actually limited to four passengers, is a 3-door model instead of a 5-door, and is equipped with a unique roofline and rear styling.

Building upon the MINI Cooper Paceman S, this new John Cooper Works version features special 18-inch aluminum wheels, an aerodynamic body kit, and chrome sports exhaust outlets. The JCW edition of the Paceman also rides lower on a snugged-down sport suspension, and is exclusively available with Chili Red paint on the roof and side mirror caps.

Inside, the MINI John Cooper Works Paceman has red contrast stitching, red-accented floor mats, and an Anthracite headliner. The driver faces a sport steering wheel and darkened gauges.

New 2014 MINI John Cooper Works Paceman: What’s Under the Hood

Like the MINI Cooper Paceman S, the JCW performance model has a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. In this application, the engine is rated to generate 218 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 207 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,900 rpm and 5,000 rpm. The massaged JCW engine also offers an Overboost function that, for short periods of time, can temporarily increase torque output to 221 lb.-ft. between 2,100 rpm and 4,500 rpm.

MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel-drive system is standard for the 2014 John Cooper Works Paceman, fed by a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Under certain driving conditions, 100% of the engine’s power can be transferred to the JCW Paceman’s rear wheels, but the majority of the time the maximum power split is 50:50 front-to-rear.

Automatic stop/start technology helps to conserve fuel by shutting the engine off while the car is idling at an intersection or in traffic, while a Sport button adjusts throttle mapping and electric steering feel to deliver “gratifyingly vivacious” performance. MINI claims that its new John Cooper Works version of the 2014 Paceman can accelerate to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds and achieve a velocity of 140-mph.

In addition to the more powerful engine, the 2014 JCW Paceman is equipped with a lowered sport suspension, larger 18-inch wheels with more aggressive rubber, a sport exhaust system with a meaner snarl, and upgraded performance brakes to make sure the party doesn’t get too far out of hand.

New 2014 MINI John Cooper Works Paceman: Features and Technology

Like any MINI model, the new JCW Paceman can be customized to a buyer’s personal tastes thanks to a long list of optional paint colors, interior colors, interior trims, wheel designs, and extra-cost features. Highlights include leather seats, automatic climate control, navigation, a premium audio system, a power sunroof, and more. Buyers can also choose from a handful of option packages including a Premium Package, a Cold Weather Package, and a Technology Package.

With MINI Connected smartphone pairing, the John Cooper Works Paceman provides its driver with access to Internet radio stations, RSS news feeds, and social media websites. Maybe they should call it MINI Distracted.

New 2014 MINI John Cooper Works Paceman: What Autobytel Thinks

Those of you rocking gray hair everywhere might remember the AMC Eagle SX/4, the doomed all-wheel-drive 3-door hatchback with sporty styling cues. The 2014 MINI John Cooper Works Paceman is like that, but so much better.